Italy Earthquake : The first funerals for some of the 267 dead were scheduled for yesterday

Strong aftershocks rattled residents and rescue crews alike yesterday, as hopes began to dim that firefighters would find any more survivors. The first funerals for some of the 267 dead were scheduled for yesterday. The biggest aftershock struck at 6.28 am.

The US Geological Service said it had a magnitude of 4.7. The aftershock was preceded by more than a dozen weaker ones overnight and followed by another nine in the subsequent hour — some of the nearly 1,000 aftershocks that have rocked the seismic area in the two days since the quake Wednesday.

Rescue efforts continued in the night, but more than a day-and-a-half had passed since the last person was extracted alive.